Verb

ersetzen

Translation

to replace, to substitute, to compensate

Ich muss die alte Batterie ersetzen.

I have to replace the old battery.

Man kann Erfahrung nicht durch Wissen ersetzen.

You can't replace experience with knowledge.

Die Versicherung ersetzt den Schaden.

The insurance compensates for the damage.

((sth.acc)) ((durch+4)) to replace (sth.) with (sth.) You replace the old part with a new one.

((sth.acc)) to replace (sth.) Nothing can replace him.

((sb.dat)) ((sth.acc)) to compensate (sb.) for (sth.) The company compensates me for the damage.

Synonyms: austauschen (to exchange), auswechseln (to swap); Antonyms: behalten (to keep), hinzufügen (to add)

From prefix er- + setzen (to set, to place). The idea is to 'set' something in the place of another.

Think of 're-setting' a part. You 'setzen' (set) a new thing in place of the old one.